The European Commission has launched a call for nominations to the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC)—the ERC’s independent governing body responsible for setting its scientific funding strategy and methodologies.
The Commission invites the European research community to nominate candidates for membership in the Council. Members are appointed by the Commission based on recommendations from the independent Standing Identification Committee, which is tasked with identifying and evaluating potential candidates.
With nearly a quarter of the current Council members set to be replaced within the next 12 months, this marks a pivotal opportunity for European research institutions to put forward outstanding candidates.
This process requires a two-step approach including a call for nominations followed by a candidate application process.
Speaking on the importance of this selection, Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups and Research, stated:“The ERC’s strength lies in the independence of its Scientific Council, which has long set the course for excellence, transparency, and bold scientific leadership. Now, we invite the scientific community to nominate extraordinary researchers who will take up the challenge, uphold our commitment to scientific excellence and innovation, shape our strategy, and drive discoveries that will leave a lasting mark on Europe’s future.”
Composed of 22 members, the Scientific Council, the independent governing body of the ERC, the ERC’s scientific funding strategy and methodologies.
Deadline for submission: 23 June 2025